Terry Blamed for Ukraine Unrest

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There are many football fans who are not likely to view Chelsea’s John Terry with much affection, but they will probably shake their heads at a report from the Mirror’s Alan Wilson which suggests he is being blamed for unrest in Ukraine.

Major civil unrest is gripping Ukraine, and Wilson has picked up on a speech by embattled president Viktor Yanukovych.

In his speech, which reportedly lasted 70 minutes, Yanukovych talked about a range of subjects—one of which was a controversial moment in the game between England and Ukraine at Euro 2012.

Terry made a goal-line clearance, which some felt came after the ball had gone in, as England won the game to knock the host nation out of the tournament.

Throughout his career, Terry has been a divisive character—but this is probably the first time he has been blamed for instability in a country.

Napoli Enter Race for Chelsea's Juan Mata

Mata has found life extremely tough under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, and much has been made of his reaction to his substitution against Southampton.

Lipton suggests Napoli boss Rafa Benitez, who made Mata one of his key players while in charge of Chelsea last term, is ready to enter a race that already includes Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool and Manchester United.

The Mirror writer claims Napoli made contact with Chelsea within 24 hours of Mata's substitution to “ascertain his position.”

Lipton claims the midfielder will not push for a transfer, but that “Mata’s Chelsea future appears increasingly uncertain and a significant bid from Napoli could bring matters to a head this month.”

United Made to Wait by Rooney over Contract

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Wayne Rooney is continuing to stall on signing a new deal, with Chris Wheeler of the Mail suggesting the forward is waiting to see where Manchester United finish in the league and what investment they make.

United have made a poor start to the defence of their league title, and are in danger of missing out on qualifying for the Champions League.

Rooney is heading into the final 18 months of his current contract, and talks over a renewal have not taken place.

Wheeler claims that is unlikely to change until United’s position is clarified.

In the worst-case scenario, United are happy they can absorb the financial blow of failing to qualify for the Champions League. Whether Rooney would be satisfied outside Europe’s elite at this stage of his career is another matter altogether.

The 28-year-old will shortly enter the final 12 months of his contract at Old Trafford and so far his representatives have shown little appetite to accept United’s invitation to step up negotiations over a new one.

It is understood Rooney would prefer to put off any decision until after the World Cup before committing to what will almost certainly be the last major deal of his career.

He wants to see where United finish and what new signings they have lined up after a frustrating transfer window last summer when the club’s lack of pulling power was exposed by a failure to land a series of top targets.

Lamela has struggled since making his club record £30m move to White Hart Lane from Roma in the summer.

Despite Lamela featuring three times under new boss Tim Sherwood, according to reports in Italy Inter are set to step up their pursuit to bring the Argentine winger to the San Siro on a six-month loan deal.

New Inter owner Erick Thohir is looking to overhaul the current squad as well as put his own stamp upon the club.

The Indonesian businessman has earmarked Lamela as one of his top targets.

Ref Clattenburg Under Investigation Following Lallana Complaint

Referee Mark Clattenburg is being investigated after being accused of “abusing and insulting” Adam Lallana, reports the Mail’s Neil Ashton.

Mail scribe Ashton claims in an exclusive that the incident in question took place during Southampton’s defeat to Everton.

Highlighting a number of images from the game, which show midfielder Lallana and Clattenburg exchanging words, Ashton claims Saints have contacted referees’ chief Mike Riley and have asked the Premier League not to put the official in charge of any of their games while the incident is being probed.